NHRC Chairperson H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah with officials and honourees during the ceremony in Doha yesterday. Pic: Rajan Vadakkemuriyil / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: In a major step towards advancing inclusion and equality, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has announced the establishment of four new specialised units to promote and protect the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
The initiative reflects the Committee’s commitment to empowering priority groups and ensuring their active participation in shaping policies that affect their lives. This came during a ceremony organised by the NHRC to celebrate Qatar Human Rights Day yesterday, marking 23 years since the Committee’s establishment in 2002.
The annual event, held on November 11, brought together representatives from partner institutions, government entities, and national media organisations to recognise their contributions to advancing the human rights agenda in Qatar.
As part of the ceremony, several institutions and media organisations were honoured for their outstanding contributions to promoting human rights awareness and advocacy in Qatar. Among those recognised was The Peninsula, which has been honoured by the Committee in appreciation of its consistent role in covering human rights issues and supporting national dialogue on equality, justice, and social responsibility.
Speaking at the event, Chairperson of the NHRC H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, emphasised the importance of partnership, collaboration, and inclusivity in realising human rights goals. “We celebrate today the 23rd anniversary of the Qatar Human Rights Day, which coincides with the establishment of the NHRC on November 11, 2002,” she said.
“This year, we pay tribute to several entities and individuals whose efforts have significantly supported the Committee’s mission, a gesture of appreciation to those who have given generously to the cause of human rights.”
Al Attiyah stressed that the NHRC acts as a bridge between national stakeholders and global human rights institutions, helping to build shared frameworks and expand cooperation.
She said, “The NHRC welcomes the Law on Persons with Disabilities, which incorporates its recommendations and aligns with relevant international standards. The Committee affirms its commitment to empowering priority groups, including through the establishment of four new units dedicated to the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.”
Al Attiyah added, “It looks forward to these units contributing to the strengthening of national measures and the promotion of the active participation of priority groups, including their involvement in decision-making, evaluation, and review processes related to policies and decisions that concern their rights.”
She reiterated the Committee’s pledge to continue monitoring challenges, submitting recommendations, and raising awareness to make human rights a tangible reality in every aspect of Qatari society, consistent with the nation’s values and Islamic principles.
Highlighting Qatar’s humanitarian leadership, she added, “We take pride in leading several international initiatives, inspired by the effective role of Qatar in promoting and protecting human rights domestically and internationally. Qatar has consistently supported diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully and has played a vital humanitarian role in providing food, health, education, and shelter aid to populations affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts.”
Secretary-General of the NHRC Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali, presented an overview of the Committee’s achievements over the past year, focusing on institutional development and operational activities.
He revealed that the NHRC had established new administrative units to reinforce its internal structure and align its work with the 2024–2030 strategic plan. Among them is the Strategic Planning and Quality Unit, responsible for preparing analytical reports, evaluating partnerships, and assessing the performance of NHRC departments.
Al Jamali also elaborated on the specialized human rights protection units.
